Nancy Smith came to Indianapolis in 1980 from San Antonio, Texas, where she played in the San Antonio Symphony as Associate Principal Cellist from 1973-80. Growing up in New York City, she attended the High School of Music and Art and the Juilliard Preparatory School, studying with cellist Channing Robbins. Ms. Smith took part in the Aspen (Colorado) Festival in 1969 and was a member of the Festival of Two Worlds Opera Orchestra in Spoleto, Italy during the summers of 1970 and 1971. She went to college at The Juilliard School, where she received a Bachelor of Music degree in 1972 and a Master of Music degree in 1973. Her cello teachers there were Leonard Rose and Harvey Shapiro. Upon graduation, she was awarded the Victor Herbert Scholarship for an Outstanding Cellist and the Academic Faculty Prize.

Nancy Smith is now Third Chair Cellist of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. She is a founding member of the ICO and has played with this ensemble for 40 years. Previously, she was Principal Cellist with the Carmel Symphony for 29 years from 1991-2020.

Nancy Smith has four children: Daniel, James, Jeffrey, and Julia.